Friday, 13 June 2014

Generosity is the antidote

Bob
Hoskins dies and his advice to his daughter is to be generous in life, as you
can’t take it with you when you go.

Chris
Huhne writes a piece in The Guardian about how the selfishmodel – dog eat dog greed – of
capitalism is worse for everyone.

Thomas
Piketty’s book on the failings of capitalism and the need for a more
considerate, egalitarian model for society and prosperity, is a runaway bestseller….

The
case for generosity and inclusivity is badly needed at a time when,
certainly in London, it feels like the city is being plundered by the very
wealthy and the greedy with no thought for the cost to the rest of humanity.
Vast status symbols of vanity and one-upmanship, like the Shard, designed only
for the obscenely affluent to lord it over the multitudes of have-nots, are
shooting up across our skylines. The most offensive of all is the ‘Walkie Talkie’
building which looms over its neighbours like a particularly loud and boorish
drinks party guest, with no sense of style (and probably severe halitosis), who
stands far too close to you and won’t get the hint. For owners Land Securities,
this top heavy design is all about maximising views for their top floor inhabitants, no matter how
much they ruin the skyline for those of us who have always enjoyed the courtly
dance being played out between the ancient and modern geometries of the city – a
more considerate architectural conversation which evolved when it
seemed some rules of moderation applied. Badly needed homes are being
constructed in Battersea, Deptford and Bankside and sold off in seconds to the
highest bidder from Malaysia, Shanghai or Sharjah before anyone who actually
lives and works in this city can get a look in.

An inspiring conversation between ancient and modern - the London skyline pre Walkie-Talkie building

This blog is here to celebrate a more socially sustainable and intelligent use of design, from the creation of spaces that
express and enhance the culture and connections of those who live or work
there, to the thoughtful integration of new buildings into old communities in
ways that help celebrate the past and work towards a more connected present - and future.
It’s also a way to highlight some of the really innovative thinking in how we
design and consume, knowing that we need to consume less and design more
carefully (banish built-in obsolescence, encourage re-use, recycling and
adaptation) in order to bring our economies and eco-system into something
resembling balance.

I have written about the power of good design for 20 years, for a whole variety of specialist design and architecture magazines, plus consumer design magazines and newspapers. I recently completed an MSc in Environmental Psychology, to achieve a better understanding of how buildings and places impact on people - and vice versa. As a result of my investigations, I have become an even more passionate advocate of socially as well as environmentally sustainable design. I hope to use my MSc research skills to help bring about positive outcomes for design and architecture schemes and their inhabitants, acting as a consultant, collaborator and communicator.